My sister’s father in law had a wind chime made for every dog he ever owned. He was an avid dog lover. Just before he passed away from cancer last month, his wife had a wind chime made with his name and put it with those of all of his dogs. He was able to see it before he passed away.
Yesterday after his memorial service, I snapped a photo of the back of the wind chime with his name on it. Such a moving tribute, I think.

I opened his closet, looking for his cap and gown. That’s where he told me he had put it.
It wasn’t there.
I searched through each piece of clothing hanging up. It wasn’t there.
I looked through the clothes piled on the closet floor.
It wasn’t there.
My heart started to pound. I started to panic.
I sent him a text message.
“Where is your cap and gown? It’s not in your closet!”
He replied right away.
“No, it’s hanging up on my guitar hook.”
In my panic, I hadn’t even noticed it hanging on his wall, right next to his bed.
I looked at it, hanging there, imagining him wearing it.
Tears started flowing and they have yet to cease falling from my eyes.
I will get through this. It will be exciting and I will be so proud.I am so proud.

It’s a new day.
I’m still disappointment with the way things turned out. I still feel a little bit sick to my stomach about losing out on such a fantastic opportunity. But the tears have been replaced with appreciation for all that is good in my life– a loving family, loyal friends, a great job, improving health.And chocolate milkshakes from Chick-Fil-A. THE BEST.
Life goes on and life is good.Moving right along...
Last month I had the chance to visit New Orleans for the very first time. Whoa. That city. THAT CITY. It is so Mind-Blowing-Amazing.
My first experience in New Orleans involved a drive-thru from which we ordered DAIQUIRIS. As in the alcoholic beverage. I couldn’t believe what was happening. I was all “You guys! My mind is blown! Did you know that my mind is blown? Because my mind is blown!”
It only got better from there.
Our hotel was literally just around the corner from Bourbon Street. I was so excited about being there, I didn’t even wash up or put on something cute to wear– I just wanted to get out of that hotel and experience this place. Just a little bit after landing I found myself with good friends eating delicious food on a balcony on Bourbon Street.
After dinner, I learned how to play the spoons from a perverted old man who stood behind me and said things like “keep going as long as it feels good.”
And then, there was dancing. In clubs. In bars. In the streets. . So! Much! Dancing!

I do believe I had to be physically pulled away from the music because I could not stop dancing the entire time I was there.
Nor, could I stop eating. I ate so many good things- like bread pudding. Stuffed shrimp, broccoli with the most amazing cheese sauce I have ever tasted.
Oh, beignets. Can we talk about beignets? And how WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS they are? And about how much I loved them.
I was there for five days, and that just wasn’t enough. I want to go back to experience the city more fully. There were so many things I wanted to do that I didn’t have time to do. I hope that I have the chance to go back very soon.
I miss you, New Orleans. And my mouth misses your beignets.
Full set of photos:

I took a lot of photos while in New Orleans. I’m not happy with most of them– but this one. Oh, this one. When I was standing there next to that cross, sun beaming on my face, I imagined this shot in my head. But could I bring it to life? Could I get the sun flare exactly the way I imagined it?
Using what I’ve learned about shooting in manual, I could.
And I did.
I love this. I really love this.